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Rammed earth: What is it and can it help tackle climate change?

Why an alternative construction technique is becoming increasingly popular.

Cement is said to be responsible for 8% of global carbon emissions. In the search for an alternative, more sustainable construction material, building companies in Ghana and other African countries are reviving an ancient technique called 鈥榬ammed earth鈥�. Daniel Dadzie, a 麻豆社 reporter from Ghana, explains how you make it and why it鈥檚 seen as a greener option. Architect and academic Kuukuwa Manful explains the history of rammed earth and how European colonial authorities discouraged indigenous African building styles.

Also: Fardowsa Osman, a 麻豆社 Somali reporter, describes the effect of the floods in Somalia and 麻豆社 Meteorologist Tomasz Schafernaker explains the two weather patterns that contributed to the devastation.

Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Presenter: Hannah Gelbart
Producers: Alex Rhodes, Benita Barden and Julia Ross-Roy
Editors: Verity Wilde and Simon Peeks

Available now

16 minutes

Last on

Sat 25 Nov 2023 03:50GMT

Broadcasts

  • Fri 24 Nov 2023 18:50GMT
  • Sat 25 Nov 2023 03:50GMT

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